When We Defend the Vulnerable, God Mends Hearts

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From the Word

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless.
(Psalm 82:3)

For You To Think About

dad and asian babyMaria’s Big House of Hope, a special-needs orphanage in Luoyang, Henan province, China, opened in 2009. The 6-story facility is named in loving memory of 5-year old Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman, a special-needs orphan whom Christian artist Steven and his wife Mary Beth Chapman adopted from China in 2004.

The 60,000 square foot building is a project of Show Hope and is equipped to treat all kinds of special-needs orphans, representing some of the neediest children in China. By offering these children desperately-needed surgeries and the highest level of medical care, their chances of being placed increase dramatically.

“This movement will continue long after we are gone,” say the Chapmans, “because God loves orphans. (So many) broken hearts are longing to experience the redemption that is found when we turn our attention off ourselves and love these waiting children.”

For You To Pray

Loving Father,

Show me how to turn attention off myself. Help me experience the blessing You offer when I defend vulnerable children.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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In A Weak Economy, More Birth Moms Are Placing

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

Volume 3, Number 21 JULY 28, 2009

In A Weak Economy, More Birth Moms Are Placing

For You From the Word 

sunrise2.jpgAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

For You To Think About 

More women who face unplanned pregnancies are also facing the reality of raising a child in a weak economy – and are choosing to place their babies for adoption. Large adoption agencies from Kansas to Florida to Chicago are seeing as much as a 10% increase in placements over a year ago.

worriedwoman.jpg“Finances are one of the major reasons women feel compelled to place their children for adoption,” says Adam Perlman of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. These women want a better life for their children.  They include –
• those in their 20s or 30s who already have at least one child and are struggling to make ends meet
• young birth moms who thought they’d have help from family in raising the child, but after they give birth they’re on their own
• those who lack health insurance

All sides agree: placing a child for adoption is an unselfish act of love. God can use any circumstance – even a down economy – to bring about good for a child.

For You To Pray

baby10.jpgPowerful Lord,
Please work in women’s hearts to choose life, and where appropriate, place their children for adoption. 
Amen. 

This week’s prayer focus

Pregnant women with financial struggles to consider adoption

pregnancy_test.jpg

News2Use

Read how finances impacted one birth mom’s decision to place her baby for adoption – and the positive outcome.

2hands.jpg

Give

Your tax-deductible gift helps pregnant women have one-on-one support to choose life and consider the adoption option.  Give here.

Please forward Friends4Life to people who care about women, children and families.

© 2009 Birthmother Ministries, Inc. (Birthmothers®)
Our Mission: we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering unconditional, one-on-one support  and life-affirming, adoption-informing resources to any woman who faces an unplanned pregnancy.

133 Park St. NE, Third Floor, Vienna, VA 22108 | Office telephone: (703) 261-6370 | Fax: (703) 261-6375
Our Toll-free helpline: 1 (877) 77-BIRTH | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Please encourage pregnant women, their partners and their families to visit www.birthmothers.org for support and information.
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Lawmakers Agree: Children Have The Right To A Family

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
(Proverbs 21:1)

For You To Think About

Parent holding child's handU.S. senators and representatives from both sides of the political aisle agree: “The right of a child to grow up in a safe, loving and permanent relationship with a responsible adult is a basic human right.”

That is direct language from the Families for Orphans Act (H.R. 3070 and S. 1458), introduced in 2009 by Senators Mary Landrieu and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representatives John Boozman (R-AR) and Diane Watson (D-CA). The act proposed establishing the Office of Orphan Policy within the Department of State, responsible for a comprehensive strategy advocating for the preservation of families. The introduction of the bill is considered a victory for adoption advocates.

The bill shows that lawmakers agree as the rights of children, the value of families … and how God can work next among lawmakers on behalf of children and families.

For You To Pray

Loving Father,
Work in the hearts of our country’s leaders to agree and pass legislation protecting millions of vulnerable children.
Amen.

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5 Facts That Prove We’re Winning The Pro-Life Battle

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

For You To Think About

victory signA May 2009 joint study by the Knights of Columbus and the Marist Institute show why we’re winning the pro-life battle in the hearts and minds of Americans. The poll compared key findings against those recorded for Americans just six months earlier in October 2008. Statistics demonstrated increased alignment with pro-life views among –

  1. Overall population. 86% Americans favor restricting abortion. 11% more Americans consider themselves pro-life than did 6 months ago.
  2. Race. All races showed an increased pro-life stance. The biggest change was recorded among African-Americans (+32%)
  3. Gender. 11% more men and 7% more women have pro-life views.
  4. Age. All age groups showed steady or increased support for pro-life views, particularly men age 45 and older (+19%)
  5. Political ideology. The most significant changes were among Liberals (44% increase in pro-life views) and Independents (33% increase). Only those who identify themselves as Democrats showed less favor towards pro-life views (-3%).

For You To Pray

Merciful God,
I seek Your face on behalf of our nation. Turn our people’s hearts to embrace the value of life.
Amen.

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A Burden Or A Reward?

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

Volume 3, Number 18 July 7, 2009

A BURDEN OR A REWARD?

For You From The Word

babyhand118x180.jpg

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

(Psalm 127:3, NLT)

For You To Think About 

“Studies show a clear link between our society’s wealth and materialism … and its increasing aversion to kids,” says Dr. James Dobson, Founder and Chairman of Focus on the Family, referring to the cultural attitude that children are a nuisance, a burden, and a drain on resources.

God, however, places an extraordinarily high value on children … and the people He chooses to parfeet.jpgent them. The psalmist tells us that children are not only a gift from God, but “they are a reward from him.”

Bringing a life into the world and nurturing it, in God’s eyes, is a privilege and honor.


For You To Pray

Loving Father, children are a gift and reward from You.  Help me to view parenting as an honor.  Amen.

This week’s prayer focus

Cultural attitudes towards childrearing

dadybaby200x200.jpg

News2Use

Read survey results that reveal motives driving those who are Childless by Choice.

 

Give

Your tax-deductible gift to Birthmothers helps pregnant women have one-on-one support and gives them access to life-affirming resources.
Donate here.

 

Please forward Friends4Life to friends who care about women, children and families.

© 2009 Birthmother Ministries, Inc. (Birthmothers®)

Our Mission: We spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by offering unconditional, one-on-one support and life-affirming, adoption-informing resources to any woman who faces an unplanned pregnancy.

133 Park St. NE, Third Floor, Vienna, VA 22108 | Office telephone: (703) 261-6370 | Fax: (703) 261-6375
Our Toll-free helpline: 1 (877) 77-BIRTH | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Please encourage pregnant women, their partners and their families to visit www.birthmothers.org for support and information.

Privacy Policy

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Honor Your Heavenly Father on Father’s Day

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)

For You To Think About

man with head bowedIn biblical times, babies were often not given a name until they were a few years old. Family members waited to see what traits the child exhibited. A person’s name often referred to his character or personality.

Likewise, the names of God in the Bible tell us about His character. “Father,” for example, is a metaphor. That name reveals God’s desire to protect, nourish, and uphold us.

Father’s Day is a time when we honor our dads, granddads, and men who have provided protection and stability in our lives.

No matter what kind of earthly dad you and your children have had, one fact is certain: each of us can honor our Heavenly Father on Father’s Day by thanking Him for –

• giving us life
• protecting us for eternity by offering salvation
• nourishing us with His Word
• upholding us with the Holy Spirit

For You To Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me life, protecting me, nourishing me, and upholding me. Amen.

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Does Your Church Have a Ministry To Orphans and Women?

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

Look after orphans and widows. (James 1:27)

For You To Think About

couple who wants to adoptJack and Clarissa desperately wanted to adopt a child. But there were many options and many things to consider. The couple sought out help through the orphan care ministry at their church and learned about foster care, private adoptions, international adoptions, and funding an adoption.

48% families considering adoption turn to their houses of worship for support and information.

The church is called to care for children without parents and women without husbands. We are God’s agent of reconciling, adoptive love.

Does your church have ministry to women who face an unplanned pregnancy and orphans who need a family to love? Perhaps God is calling you to start one.

For You To Pray

Merciful God,
Lead me and my church to have a strong and loving ministry to orphans and hurting women.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Ways Your Church Can Support Pregnant Women

Do You Can Your Church Make This Mistake?

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Three Ways To Praise the Creator

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
(Jeremiah 20:13)

For You To Think About

woman praying in a fieldJeremiah shared God’s prophetic message with the people of Judah during a time of great darkness. Because Jeremiah’s words to the people were harsh and judgmental, he has been called “The Weeping Prophet.”

Jeremiah’s declarations stemmed not from a negative personality or despair. Rather, he proclaimed the truth about God. He longed for the Hebrews to live in victory born out of truth. Woven into Jeremiah’s admonitions are words of unshakable hope.

Today, at a time when the value of life is diminished in the courts and the culture, The Weeping Prophet models for us the power of praise. God is calling us to praise Him for –
• His creative power (Jeremiah 10:16)
• His strength to overcome evil (Jeremiah 16:19)
• His love for each life He created (Jeremiah 20:13)

For You To Pray

Almighty God,

I praise You for creating every life. You rescue those in need, including pregnant women and their unborn children. Strengthen my hope in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Weep With Those Who Weep on October 20

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people. (Jeremiah 9:1)

For You To Think About

Silent Day logo“Thousands of American babies are permanently silenced every day by the violent act of abortion,” said Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life. “Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity raises awareness. It is a day for pro-life students to honor those children as they stay silent as an act of solidarity with these innocent victims.”

Participants take a vow of silence for the day in honor of those who have lost their lives to abortion and who will never be allowed to speak. Many students also place red duct tape over their mouths, wear red arm bands or Day of Silent Solidarity T-shirts, and pass out “Why I Am Silent” literature.

The impact is enormous – and even saves lives. “One girl kept glancing at my shirt all day, took a flier, but didn’t say anything,” said one of last year’s participants. “Then in sixth period, as I got up to go to the front of my class, she came up with me. In front of everyone, she began weeping and fell into my arms. She was a couple of months pregnant and said she didn’t want to have an abortion. She asked to receive Christ right there.”

For You To Pray

Merciful God,
Let Your truth be seen and heard clearly on October 20, the Day of Silent Solidarity – so that many will understand the need to speak out for the unborn and offer alternatives to pregnant women.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More About Millennials Standing For Life

Students Stand With Those Who Have Been Silenced – and Save Lives

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A Prayer You Can Pray For Pregnant Women

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Twisk

For You From The Word

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (2 Chronicles 1:7)

For You To Think About

clasped hands praying on white backgroundSoon after King Solomon assumed Israel’s throne, he offered sacrifices and worship to God. The Lord appeared to the new king and said, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.”

Solomon realized the undertaking he faced in leading Israel. Of all the things he could have requested from God, he asked for wisdom.  The Lord not only granted his petition, but also promised Solomon riches and honor if he walked in obedience.

Solomon’s decisions impacted thousands. Women who face an unplanned pregnancy make decisions that impact themselves, their children, their families, and generations to come. Pregnant women need wisdom as they make decisions for themselves and their babies. When you intercede on their behalf, you make a difference for life.

For You To Pray

Adapted from Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:8-10)

Heavenly Father,
You have shown great kindness to this woman and have made her the mother-to-be of a child. Now let Your promise to her be confirmed – that when she chooses life, she and her child will live abundantly (Deuteronomy 30:19). Give her wisdom and knowledge that she may lead and guide this child. For who can raise up a child without Your help?
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Posted in Friends4Life, prayer, pregnant women, wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment